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6 DATE: August 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Suhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director
Laura Galli, Engineering Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
SUBJECT: SAN MATEO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
MEASURES A AND W TRANSPORTATION DEMAND
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CYCLE 3 – SUPPORT OF GRANT
APPLICATION FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL:
RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACONS PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached resolution supporting the attached application prepared by the San Mateo Foster City School District (“SMFCSD”) seeking a grant in the amount of $360,000 from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) 2025 Cycle 3 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program Call for Projects.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The TA issued a call for projects under the Measure A Alternative Congestion Relief (ACR) and Measure W Transportation Demand Management (TDM Program). SMFCSD requested to partner with the City to apply for a grant in the amount of $360,000 for the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at five (5) intersections adjacent to three (3) Foster City schools. To submit a complete application, the TA requires a governing board resolution from the City (as the eligible sponsoring agency) supporting the grant application.
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6 BACKGROUND
RRFBs supplement pedestrian warning signs at crosswalks by flashing rapidly in an alternating pattern when activated to enhance the visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists to approaching drivers. Studies suggest that RRFBs can significantly increase motorist yielding rates and improve pedestrian safety.
On June 5, 2025, the TA released a call for projects for the Measures A and W TDM Program. SMFCSD elected to submit an application seeking $360,000 for the installation of RRFBs at five (5) intersections adjacent to three (3) Foster City schools. Per the grant guidelines, eligibility for funding is limited to cities within San Mateo County, C/CAG, and Commute.org. Thus, SMFCSD contacted staff to request support for their project by asking if the City would be willing to sponsor the School District’s grant application.
ANALYSIS
The application identifies the enhancement of five (5) existing crosswalks with RRFBs that are adjacent to three (3) schools-- Audubon Elementary (2 RRFBs - Gull and entrance to the school; and Crane and Egret), Bowditch Middle School (1 RRFB - Ribbon and Tarpon), and Brewer Island Elementary (2 RRFBs - Polynesia and Niantic; and Erkenbrack Park between Polynesia and Balclutha). These crosswalk locations have been previously identified in a Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) audit as benefitting from various forms of enhancement to improve pedestrian visibility and walkability. The City and SMFCSD anticipate reviewing the suggested crosswalk enhancements together to confirm the highest priority locations in parallel with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which is currently under development.
These locations were also reviewed by SMFCSD in response to concerns from parents, principals, and public safety officials about dangerous crossing conditions for students walking to and from school and identified as areas with high pedestrian activity. The proposed project aims to enhance pedestrian safety for over 2,300 students and their families by improving visibility and increasing driver yield rates at school crossings.
Enabling safer walking routes encourages the reduction of short car trips, thereby decreasing traffic congestion and related greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting a safe walkable environment. The proposed RRFBs are solar powered, providing a reduced electrical cost compared to hardwired units.
If awarded the grant, as the implementing agency, SMFCSD will lead contractor procurement, oversight of construction, site monitoring and inspection, utility coordination, community engagement, including targeted multilingual outreach events at each school site, and commit matching funds in the amount of $40,000. As the sponsoring agency, the City will work with SMFCSD to confirm the locations in which RRFBs are the most appropriate treatment, provide encroachment permits for right of 9 9
6 way work, review traffic control plans, review construction plans, and provide site inspections during construction.
The SMFCSD application has been submitted and is considered pending; for the application to be complete, the TA requires the City to adopt the attached resolution as the sponsoring agency. If the resolution is not adopted, the application would be considered withdrawn. The partnership between the City and SMFCSD reflects a shared investment in student safety, mobility equity, and environmental sustainability and the project represents a scalable, cost-effective model for school-zone safety improvements citywide.
CEQA
The resolution approving the submittal of the grant application qualifies for CEQA’s common sense exemption, as CEQA applies only to projects with potential significant environmental impact. Since this activity poses no significant environmental effect, it is not subject to CEQA (CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3)).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with approving the resolution in support of the SMFCSD application for the ACR & TDM grants.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Facilities and Infrastructure
Innovation and Sustainability
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Application